As I write this note there is a live radio program happening in the radio booth, a recording session for a radio program happening in the audio production suite, a pre-production meeting in the large conference room down the hall and a video editor working steadfastly on a documentary in the Premiere Pro editing suite. Tonight we’ll have live radio, live TV in the studio, two different classes – one in the boardroom and one in the electronic classroom – and both audio and video editors in the facility. Today is by no means unusual.

I offered to help at the front desk, thinking I was doing AIM a favor. But time has shown me I’m the one that benefits. I’ve learned a lot about the business of creating media—and even more about the art of cultivating community.

AIM’s tagline is “raise your voice,” and every day, members are doing just that. But before you can raise your voice, you have to find it. By teaching people skills and providing them a place to practice, AIM helps members discover their passions, give them expression, and then share them with others.

The Square Circle aims to break down the siloed opinions of commercial news outlets by facilitating dialogue across the political spectrum. It is part of a larger project to advance public discourse on controversial topics.